Science & Technology

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Business & Politics

Better late than never, I suppose -- though LA's planned 2010 citywide ban still seems downright meek given that San Francisco, Australia and, yes, even China have already or are in the process of implementing a ban. And, of course, it's important to note that this plan will only go through if (and it's a big if) the state fails in its attempt to impose a 25-cent surcharge.

This isn't the first time LA has toyed around with the idea of a ban. The LA County Board of Supervisors raised environmental groups' ire when it watered down crucial provisions of a plastic pollution measure. Under pressure from the plastic bag industry, the board decided to shelve its vote on an outright ban until at least 2010.

TH Exclusives

:: Help cool down the planet by setting your laundry's spin cycle on cold.

:: Keep a beach-ready bod with this healthy Chinese take-out alternative: Black Bean Tofu.

:: Get to the bottom of that leaky faucet to conserve water.

TH Exclusives

TreeHugger is proud to be contributing original content to the Huffington Post Green section. Recent posts:

Greenwashers Beware: The Truth Will Come Out Should we trust all these green claims? Since the green movement has gained momentum, there has been a lot of talk about whether a company is greenwashing or whether carbon credits can be trusted. ::Graham Hill
My Challenge to America: Don't Ignore Gore's Speech It was a speech that should have inspired and excited Americans of all walks of life at least as much as, if not more than, President Kennedy's. Instead, Mr. Gore's idea has been met with a chorus of criticism, with the naysayers claiming that it would be too costly, too impractical, and too risky to attempt to meet such a goal. ::Andy Posner
How Obama Can Regain the Initiative on Energy the latest report from James Carville and Stan Greenberg, two campaign consultants, has revealed that Obama has been losing ground to McCain and that he has not effectively addressed the shift in public sentiment. ::Jeremy Jacquot
Six Tips to Green Your TV Here's a chance to make millions: Come up with a green TV. Frankly, there just isn't one yet. Even with huge technological "advances," this standard household item isn't getting greener. ::Mairi Beautyman
My Sinful Second Home Over at Grist, the Biodiversivist does a driveby shooting of a rather nice green second home. I am going to defend the sinful second home, and why I and my cabin are perhaps not as uncool and shallow as the Biodiversivist says we are. ::Lloyd Alter

Business & Politics

Infrastructure & Standards for Plug-In Vehicles
While making an infrastructure to charge plug-in vehicles (plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars) is a lot easier than making an infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles (like the Honda FCX Clarity), it still requires some planning and coordination. You don't want each player to create its own standard that isn't compatible with the others, making it impossible for electric car owners to plug in their cars for a charge or to use advanced features.

That's why GM, along with the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and 30+ electric utilities from 37 US states and from Canada have formed a coalition to address these issues.

Business & Politics

In 2001, syndicated columnist Bob Novak almost hit a jaywalker, called him some names and was quoted as saying : "He was crossing on the red light. I really hate jaywalkers. I despise them. Since I don't run the country, all I can do is yell at 'em. The other option is to run 'em over, but as a compassionate conservative, I would never do that."

Today he took option two, except the 66 year old man splattered over the windshield Novak's Corvette had the green light. Novak then took off, and might have got away with it.

Except cycle commuter David Bono of Harkins Cunningham thought what every good lawyer should think: “This car is speeding away. What’s going through my mind is, you just can’t hit a pedestrian and drive away.”

Cars & Transportation

Got directions but want to walk the distance instead of driving? Well, we’re glad to see that Google Maps has now added a new walking option for directions, thanks to popular demand. Similar to getting driving directions, after entering your origin and destination, click “Walking” at the top left panel. You can see an example of this in action here. You can also drag the purple line around if you want to go by another specific route. Done, and done. (But maybe they will add a bicycling option soon.)

Via ::Google Maps Help Group

Related Links on Walking, Google
Walk Score Ranks The Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.
Walk Score: Cool Green Google Map Mashup
TH Forums: Is Driving Better Than Walking?

Video Tips

As part of our ongoing TreeHugger Tips project our very own Christine Lepisto has provided us with a great eco-tip on her small refrigerator. Not only did she choose a size that works for her lifestyle but she also fills it with her favorite bio-foods; milk, cheese, eggs and yogurt!

Submit your own eco-tip to TreeHugger Video Tips!